Allyson Whipple

Tag: the best of it

  • The Best of It: I Meant to Post Yesterday But Then Forgot Edition

    Astrid wants to drive.
    1. The feeling of starting a fresh notebook.
    2. That feeling when you’re working on a poem that has some strong energy.
    3. Finally having settled on the notebooks I want to use for the rest of my writing life. (Plain composition books; keep it simple.)
    4. I finally finished my Pilates Level 1 mat certification!
    5. Canceled meetings

  • The Best of It: Oh Look, Another Holiday Weekend in Quarantine Edition

    Because Astrid photos weren’t enough. We need Astrid gifs!
    1. Crate training Astrid was successful within five minutes. I guess she was just born to love the crate!
    2. Mi Madre’s has the best migas plate in all of Austin.
    3. And they serve breakfast until 3:00!
    4. Cafe de Olla
    5. Finding a great set of vintage glasses on Etsy that just so happen to go with my new dining table!

  • The Best of It: Work Stuff Edition

    Currently reading
    1. I’ve completed my biennial ADA Awareness training!
    2. I have so much professional development lined up that I don’t have to worry about meeting my hours for the coming academic year.
    3. Some of it I even get paid to do!
    4. Recording my one-minute fall course promo video actually went okay!
    5. The Purdue OWL remains to this day one of my favorite writing resources

  • The Best of It: Bits and Pieces Edition

    My Craigslist dining set, before and after
    1. How when Astrid wags her tail, she wags her entire body.
    2. That I bought this patio dining set super cheap on Craigslist, and a little sanding and teak oil brought it back to life!
    3. I got accepted to lead a workshop in ACC’s summer software day next month!
    4. I’m loving the prompts in the Two Sylvais Press online writing retreat. They’re offering two more sessions (with two different price points), and I definitely recommend it.
    5. Propane Taxi offers easy, contactless delivery. Great if your grill is running low but you’re trying to avoid going to stores in the middle of a pandemic.

  • The Best of It: Another Food Post Edition

    Begging for some grilled meats
    1. Breakfast burritos
    2. Texas barbecue
    3. Especially Smitty’s, which has an excellent jalapeno sausage, the platonic ideal of potato salad, and perfect mac and cheese.
    4. Pork shoulder steaks with horseradish mustard sauce
    5. Peaches and tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and hot sauce (the recipe calls for burrata, but I had regular mozzarella on hand, so there you go!)

  • The Best of It: I Really Shouldn’t Save the Title for Last Edition

    Issues 1 and 50 of Borderlands side by side, both featuring art by James Surls.
    1. I finally finished issue inventory for Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review!
    2. I cut my thumb deeply yesterday, but thanks to super glue and butterfly bandages, I avoiding needing to go to the ER for stitches.
    3. That I’ve gotten diligent about sharpening my knives every month. A dull knife would have caused way more damage!
    4. Michi Ramen has an option on their to-go menu where you can swap out the meat and swap in two ajitama. As someone who adores ajitama, I’m thrilled!
    5. I appreciate that my neighbors all understand who gets sidewalk space and who has to step into the bike lane to maintain social distancing when we pass each other.

  • The Best of It: Mostly Poetry Things Edition

    Strawberry rhubarb pie with homemade whipped cream
    1. Getting to watch Jericho Brown and Jorie Graham read via Zoom
    2. Having an abundance of online poetry events to choose from
    3. Working on a new prose poem piece
    4. I am so sad that I Scream Social is ending, but I am so grateful for the past five years, and the friendships that formed
    5. Making my favorite couscous recipe for lunch

  • The Best of It: Another Post About Food Edition

    Hoping for some chicken
    1. Strawberry-rhubarb pie
    2. Chicken salad sandwiches
    3. Kome is open for take-out
    4. Takoyaki
    5. HEB spicy guacamole

  • The Best of It: This Blog Has Gone Too Long Without a Dog Photo Edition

    She loves wearing her pink bandana!
    1. Clean bill of sinus health after my surgery follow-up today!
    2. Chicken soulvaki, hummus, tabouli, pita, and tzatziki for dinner tonight
    3. I got a beautiful new teapot and a shipment of oolong tea from The Steeping Room
    4. Getting to take a nap this afternoon
    5. Ketchup-flavored potato chips

  • The Best of It: Going Through Old Photos Edition

    I’ve been going through old photos. This is a sourdough misadventure from 2014.
    1. Sourdough bread with goat cheese, red pepper flakes, and cherry balsamic vinegar
    2. Looking through old photos and seeing how much I’ve improved at baking over the years
    3. Honestly, seeing how much I’ve improved at cooking in general
    4. I finally have all the material to finish my second quilt
    5. That I don’t have platinum blonde hair anymore. That was not a good look for me.